Mini Digger switching problem

[harvestmouse]

Circuit test conducted with subject switch in both positions:


Of the two wires leading to the plug before what I think is the solenoid...

The red & white wire is 12v positive with ignition circuit on and switch in either position.

The blue wire connects to earth with the switch in one position but not in the other. So the wiring between the switch and the solenoid would appear to be ok.

Maybe it's the solenoid?

Will try the plant forum (thanks to poster for mentioning it) as well.

 

[dai]

its just a diverter valve is that

 

[harvestmouse]

It's connected to the orbit motor and the ram for the boom pivot.

So does that mean it diverts fluid to either of the above functions, subject to current? If so, then it might be this. And the thing with the wires, that's a solenoid?

 

[dai]

i m not familiar with those but thediverter probably "defaults" to 1 position with no power(arm slew)
did you test for power with 1 lead from the meter on an earth on the frame
or just between the 2 wires??

 

[harvestmouse]

Voltage test and resistance test on both wires separately, between wire and frame.

So, it looks as though the circuit: Battery - Switch - Diverter is intact and functional.

Any ideas?

As I rarely use the offset dig function, I could always loosen a hose on the boom pivot ram, push the boom back to its central position and then not move the switch again. This obviously isn't a permanent solution, but it will render the machine useable.

 

[dai]

Voltage test and resistance test on both wires separately, between wire and frame.

So, it looks as though the circuit: Battery - Switch - Diverter is intact and functional.

Any ideas?

As I rarely use the offset dig function, I could always loosen a hose on the boom pivot ram, push the boom back to its central position and then not move the switch again. This obviously isn't a permanent solution, but it will render the machine useable.

the diverter itself has got some crud in it or is broken?

wont work as you will have air inside the ram and it wont hold

 

[harvestmouse]

As the circuit seems complete, I'd guess that it's the diverter (which bit exactly do you mean by this; the part with the wires or the part with the hydraulic hoses attached?) that may be at fault.

The whole mechanism seems very well sealed against the outside world, so I don't see how anything could have got in there.

How could I further test whether or not it works?

And would it not be possible for one person to loosen the hose as someone else pushes the boom to the centre, then tighten the hose whilst the boom is still moving, so no air can get in?

Thanks for your advice so far by the way.

 

[Justme]

The ram has oil in both sides of it so as you force oil out of one side it will need to draw air in the other. Then when you tighten the hoses one side of the ram will have oil & the other air.

 

[Pete.]

You could swap the hoses on the diverter, and power the arm back to middle then swap them back.

 

[dai]

You could swap the hoses on the diverter, and power the arm back to middle then swap them back.

this is what i would most likly do to keep me going untill i had time to fix it

trace both pipes from the slew motor and the arm slew ram then swop them around
the pipes you connect from the slew moter might need to be then swapped if they're on the wrong way
label everything before you pull pipes off so you know where they go back too

 

[harvestmouse]

Hurrah!

Repaired it. After all, it turned out to be a loose connection, although one that wasn't visible...the ends of the wires are sealed in rubber where they go in, so although the circuit was broken, the wires appeared intact.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Pete.]

That was cheap! Well done.

 

[harvestmouse]

Anyone know what one of these (solenoid controller or whatever it is) looks like inside, at the top?

I.E. if I want to make a permanent connection, how far can i cut down through the rubber to expose the wire, without digging into anything?